HW0001

Did You Know?

The Norvalspont crossing on the Orange River has been in use since at least 1835 as a drift (natural ford). In 1848, a pont (a flat-bottomed ferry boat) was established at this location to facilitate the crossing of wagons and people, giving the site its name 'Norvalspont' (Afrikaans for 'Norval's pont'). The pont was operated by a Scottish immigrant named John Norval, after whom the site is named. In 1890, a railway bridge was constructed at Norvalspont as part of the Cape Government Railways' expansion, linking the Cape Colony to the interior. This bridge was a key infrastructure project, replacing the slower pontoon ferry and enabling more efficient transport of goods and passengers. During the Second Anglo-Boer War (1899–1902), the bridge at Norvalspont was strategically important and was guarded by British forces; a concentration camp was also established nearby for Boer women and children.

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